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What if boiling water was as easy as turning on the tap?
With near-boiling water available at the turn of a handle, boiling water taps can eliminate the kettle, free up valuable bench space and make everything from making a cup of tea to preparing food that little bit quicker.
But there is more to choosing one than picking a tap that looks good. How do these systems actually work? Do they need special plumbing? Which brands are reliable? How much does installation cost? And are they really worth the investment?
In this guide, we'll break down how instant boiling water taps work, what is involved in installing one, the leading brands to consider, the plumbing requirements and the costs you can expect when adding one to a Sydney kitchen.
A boiling water tap is designed to deliver near-boiling water on demand, alongside your regular hot and cold supply, giving you multiple functions from a single kitchen fixture.
Rather than heating water from scratch every time you need it, the system uses a compact tank installed beneath the sink. The tank is connected to your mains water supply and an electrical power source, while an integrated filtration cartridge helps improve water quality, reduce impurities and minimise mineral build-up within the system.
The tank keeps a reserve of heated water ready for use. When you press or turn the dedicated boiling water control, water flows directly from the tank through the tap. Once you've used the water, the system automatically refills and reheats the tank, ready for the next use.
This makes a boiling water tap quite different from your home's main hot water system. Your household hot water system is designed to supply showers, basins and other fixtures throughout the property, while a boiling water unit is a separate, compact system designed specifically to provide near-boiling water at the kitchen sink.
Boiling Water Taps vs Instant Hot Water Taps: What's the Difference?A true boiling water tap typically delivers water at around 98–100°C, making it suitable for tea and coffee, filling cooking pots and other tasks where you would normally reach for the kettle. An instant hot water tap, on the other hand, may deliver water at a considerably lower temperature. If you're shopping for a boiling water tap, always check the manufacturer's stated temperature rather than relying on the word "instant". The temperature, tank capacity, filtration system and tap configuration can all vary between models.
There are plenty of boiling water tap options available in Australia, with different brands offering their own mix of features, designs and price points. Some of the most popular are:
1. Zip HydroTap: Zip Water is one of the best-known names, with its HydroTap range offering configurations that can provide boiling, chilled and sparkling filtered water from the one system. Depending on the model, features can include touch-free operation, advanced filtration and ventilation technology.
2. Billi: Billi is another long-established Australian brand, particularly popular in kitchen renovations and premium residential installations. Its range includes systems providing boiling, chilled and sparkling filtered water, with compact underbench units designed to make efficient use of cupboard space.
3. QETTLE: QETTLE is considered a more accessible option for homeowners looking to add boiling and filtered water without moving into the premium price range of some established brands. Its systems can also replace the existing kitchen mixer, rather than requiring a separate boiling water tap alongside it.
4. Stiebel Eltron: Stiebel Eltron is a German engineering brand with a long history in water heating. Its Australian range includes solutions for hot water and water heating, making the brand another option worth investigating when comparing systems for a residential kitchen.
5. Peppy Taps: Peppy Taps focuses on modern multifunction kitchen mixers that combine functions such as boiling, chilled and ambient water in a single fixture. For homeowners who want a contemporary tap with multiple water options, its range provides an alternative to more traditional boiling water systems.
The right boiling water tap depends on how you use your kitchen, the space available and the features you actually need. A basic boiling water system may be enough for a household that simply wants to replace the kettle, while a premium multifunction system can make more sense if you also want filtered chilled and sparkling water from the same tap.
As an instant boiling water tap system connects to your mains water supply and uses an electrical heating unit, installation should be carried out by the appropriate licenced trades. This helps ensure the system is connected correctly, complies with Australian requirements and is safe to use.
The exact installation process will depend on the tap and underbench unit you choose, as well as the layout of your kitchen. However, a typical tap installation involves several key steps.
1. Preparing the tap location: If the boiling water tap is being installed alongside your existing mixer, a new hole may need to be drilled into the sink or benchtop. This is particularly important to plan for with stone benchtops, where the correct tools and technique are needed to avoid damaging the surface.
2. Installing the underbench unit and filter: The heating tank and filtration components are positioned inside the cupboard beneath the sink. Your installer needs to check that there is enough room for the equipment and that the unit can be accessed later for filter changes and servicing.
3. Connecting the water supply: The unit is connected to the mains cold water supply, typically through the existing plumbing beneath the sink. Depending on the system, additional valves, regulators or connections may be required to ensure the unit operates at the correct pressure.
4. Connecting the tap to the unit: Once the tank and filter are in place, the relevant water lines are connected between the underbench system and the tap. The configuration will vary depending on whether you've chosen a boiling-water-only tap or a multifunction system that also provides standard hot and cold, chilled or sparkling water.
5. Connecting the power: The boiling water unit needs an electrical supply to heat and maintain the water temperature. If there is already a suitable power point beneath the sink, installation may be relatively straightforward. If not, a licenced electrician may need to install one.
6. Filling, flushing and testing the system: Once everything is connected, the system can be filled and flushed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The installer will check the water flow, connections and safety functions, look for leaks and make sure the unit is operating correctly before handing it over.
| đź’ˇHow Long Does Installation Take?These systems can be installed relatively quickly, if all the basics are in place and accessible. However a new power point, additional plumbing, difficult access or a new benchtop cutout can all add time and cost to the job. If you're installing a boiling water tap as part of a kitchen renovation, it's worth discussing the requirements with your plumber and electrician before the cabinetry and benchtop are installed. Planning the plumbing and electrical connections early can make the installation much easier than retrofitting everything once the kitchen is finished. |
Adding an instant boiling water tap can be more of an investment than buying a kettle, but the overall cost can vary considerably depending on the system you choose and what your kitchen needs for installation.
As a general guide, plumbing labour for a straightforward installation in Sydney can cost around $300 - $600, while the boiling water system itself can range from approximately $2,500 - $6,500 depending on the brand, capacity and features.
| Looking for More Clarity? Not sure which system is right for your kitchen or what your installation will involve? Get in touch with Plumberoo for professional advice and a clear understanding of the plumbing requirements and costs involved. |
For the right household, an instant boiling water tap can be the ultimate quality-of-life upgrade. If you're constantly reaching for the kettle, regularly cook with boiling water or simply want to reclaim some bench space, having near-boiling water ready at the turn of a handle can make a noticeable difference to your daily routine.
However, whether a boiling water tap is worth it comes down to how often you'll use it, what you want it to do and whether the convenience justifies the investment.
Ready to ditch the kettle? Get your boiling water tap installed properly from the start.
Plumberoo can handle the plumbing installation, connecting your new system to the water supply and making sure everything is fitted and working as it should. Whether you're upgrading your existing kitchen or building a new one, we'll help get your tap up and running without the hassle.
Want boiling water on demand? Talk to Plumberoo about your installation today.
An instant boiling water tap connects to your mains water supply, so this is licenced plumber work in Australia. The unit must carry WaterMark certification under AS/NZS 3718, and your plumber issues a Certificate of Compliance once the job is done, which you should keep for insurance and warranty purposes. DIY installation risks leaks and voids the manufacturer's warranty.
A true boiling water tap delivers water at approximately 98 to 100 degrees Celsius, hot enough to make tea or coffee, cook noodles or blanch vegetables without a kettle. This is different from a standard instant hot tap, which typically delivers water at around 65 degrees, comfortable for washing up but not boiling.
A standard install in a kitchen with an accessible cabinet and an existing power point nearby usually takes one to two hours. If a new power point needs to be added, or the benchtop needs a new tap hole cored (common with stone benchtops), the job takes longer and involves either an electrician or a stonemason alongside the plumber.
Both options exist. Many installations use a second, smaller tap hole beside the main sink, so you keep your regular tap for washing up and filling pots while the boiling tap handles hot and filtered water. Some models are designed to replace your existing tap entirely. Your plumber can advise which suits your benchtop and sink configuration.
Install it during the renovation if you can. Roughing in the water line and power point while the cabinetry is still open costs a fraction of a retrofit once the kitchen is finished and sealed. Tell your kitchen designer and plumber before the rough-in stage so the underbench layout accounts for the tank unit's dimensions.
Most instant boiling water taps need a minimum operating water pressure to function correctly, which the vast majority of Sydney homes meet without issue. Your plumber checks this on-site as part of the quote, along with cabinet space and power access, so any pressure issue gets flagged before installation rather than after.